MWL South Bend Cubs

Howard's Heroics Power Cubs Past Kernels 6-3

Published on August 22, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
South Bend Cubs News Release


South Bend, IN - The South Bend Cubs started their homestand against the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a fashionable way after defeating their West Division rival by a final of 6-3. Ed Howard had his best day since coming back to the South Bend Cubs this summer, as the former Chicago Cubs 1st-round pick had three hits and three RBI all before the 6th inning came to an end.

Tyler Santana last pitched on the Cubs previous Tuesday game against the West Michigan Whitecaps on the road. That night, he went four shutout innings, with only one hit allowed and no walks. Tonight at Four Winds Field, Santana brought his A-stuff again. He set the tone early as the first two innings breezed by scoreless.

Cedar Rapids did have the first momentum swing of the game when Misael Urbina homered off of Santana in the top of the 3rd for a 1-0 lead. From there, the Cubs stormed back and never trailed again beyond the 4th.

Howard took his first swings of the day against lefty Christian MacLeod. The southpaw was working away against Howard for most of the at-bats they faced off against each other, as Howard reminisced. With two men on in the bottom of the 4th, Howard laced a base hit into right field to score two.

In the 5th, it was Ezequiel Pagan roping a sacrifice fly into left field for another RBI. South Bend continued to lay the hammer on the Kernels when Howard punched another RBI base hit in the air, dropping into the left-center field gap. It was 4-1 Cubs after six innings, and Howard had the three hits and RBI's in that timespan.

The big blow off the bats of the Cubs came in the bottom of the 7th as South Bend rallied with run scoring hits from James Triantos and Moises Ballesteros.

Triantos, Ballesteros, Howard, as well as Christian Franklin all had multi-hit days.

Out of the bullpen, Michael McAvene made his 2023 Four Winds Field debut with two shutout innings to back up Santana. Sheldon Reed worked out of a bases loaded jam with limited damage in the 8th, and Frankie Scalzo Jr. closed out the final three outs in the 9th.

With the win, South Bend gained a game on the Peoria Chiefs, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the West Division. Peoria lost to West Michigan 14-3. The Cubs and Kernels will get together again Wednesday night at Four Winds Field at 7:05 PM. Right-hander Connor Noland will be on the mound for the Cubs.

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Midwest League Stories from August 22, 2023


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